Gastric band Surgery In France How can our health benefit from colder temperatures? Winter’s here now, temperatures are dropping, and chances are that it’ll get even colder. All that most of us want to do is cozy up indoors with a mug of hot tea and a heartwarming movie, but do cold temperatures bring us any health benefits? If so, what are they? We investigate. Can the cold temperatures of winter do us any good? I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely what you might rather unscientifically refer to as a “summer person.” I thrive in hot weather, love wearing light clothes, and cherish the long, sunny days that make me feel productive. But in winter, I always complain about the cold, bundle up under five different layers of clothing, and grumpily wait it out until temperatures rise again. But am I wrong in being so dismissive of this season and the low temperatures it brings? Research has suggested that cool temperatures could bring a range of health benefits, and that we shouldn’t always shun exposure to cold. In this article, we give you an overview of some of these reported benefits. The cold can boost sleep quality Our bodies follow a circadian rhythm that self-regulates eating, sleeping, and activity patterns according to day-night cycles, thereby allowing us to function normally. Researchers have found that a dysregulation of circadian rhythms can lead to a disrupted sleep, which, in turn, can lead to a number of health problems. Studies that were recently covered by Medical News Today have found that insomnia and other sleep disorders can impair our perception and cognitive function and heighten the risk of kidney disease and diabetes. Research has revealed that, when we fall asleep, our body temperature begins to drop. Insomniacs, however, seem unable to regulate body heat appropriately, leading to difficulties in falling asleep. This is where external temperatures come in. One study experimented with “cooling caps” – that is, headwear that keeps the sleeper’s head at cooler temperatures – and found that insomniacs benefited from the exposure, which allowed them to enjoy a better night’s sleep. Current sleep guidelines – supported by existing research – suggest that the ideal temperature in our bedrooms as we prepare to go to sleep should be somewhere between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit (around 15.5 to 19 degrees Celsius). The bottom line is that you shouldn’t be freezing cold, of course – that won’t really help your sleep – but moderately cool environments might do the trick. It gives you an appetite A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition seems to support the age-old claim that our appetite increases in winter, as the temperatures drop fast. “he present study revealed that small seasonal variations of daily caloric intake, diet composition, physical activity, and body weight are in fact present in normal individuals in the United States,” the authors conclude. Another experiment carried out in pigs, which have a similar physiological makeup to humans, saw that the animals also tended to eat less in higher ambient temperatures, but their appetite increased in cooler environments. Another study, this time exploring the impact of intense aerobic exercise and ambient temperature on caloric intake, found that being active in a cool environment stimulates our sense of hunger. So if you’re struggling with eating healthful portions, then a brisk walk or run in the cool winter air just before a meal could help to increase your appetite. ‘Fat is on fire’ If, on the other hand, you’re concerned that your tendency to eat more this season will lead to unwanted weight gain, worry not: the cold can also be used catalyze weight loss. Cold temperatures activate brown fat, the body’s heat-generating ‘fuel.’ Our bodies store two types of fat: white and brown. The former is often referred to as “bad fat,” as it simply accumulates. And, if it piles up excessively, it can lead to overweight or obesity. By
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